Sen. David Mark has urged political office seekers to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship devoid of rancour, acrimony and bitterness as the the 2019 general elections approach.
Mark, the immediate past President of the Senate, spoke on Thursday night while addressing Benue Gubernatorial candidates and their running mates at a non partisan parley he convened in his Otukpo, country home in Benue.
He urged all politicians to eschew bitterness and make the campaigns issue-based according to the rules.
Mark appealed to them to go about it without acrimony or mudslinging, and to let the will of the people prevail.
The senator implored politicians to avoid actions or utterances that could heat up the polity and cause disaffection.
He specifically cautioned the gubernatorial contenders and their followers against using violence during and after the elections, as that would only aggravate the situation.
Mark prayed for violence-free and credible elections. “We are one, elections will come and go but the people remain,” he said.
Mark reiterated his resolve to play the role of a statesman in the contemporary politics of Nigeria.
“Elections come every four years; If you don’t win today, you can win tomorrow. So, there is no need for desperation or resort to self help,” he told the candidates.
In his remarks, the governor of Benue and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Dr. Samuel Ortom, who spoke through his Deputy, Chief Benson Abuonu, said the state subscribed totally to non- violent, free and fair polls without rancour or bitterness.
He lauded Mark for the peace move, pointing out that the convocation of the non-partisan parley, all for peace to reign during and after the elections, showed that the convener was a true leader of the people.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Emmanuel Jime, in his message, prayed for a peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections and commended the convener of the parley for the bold steps taken towards ensuring free and fair elections in the state.
Also, the Labour Party (LP), Governorship Candidate, Dr Paul Angya, said the glaring underdevelopment in the state over the years necessitated his ambition for the plum position in order to make positive changes.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other candidates at the parley include Dickson Akor of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Dr Stephen Akuma of National Conscience Party ( NCP).
Also in attendance were Dr Emmanuel Ayua of Young Peoples Party (YPP) and Mrs Ene Edeh of Peoples Trust (PT), who in their separate remarks pledged to carry out the electioneering campaigns according to the rules of the game.
They both demanded a level playing field that would guarantee free, fair and credible elections.